The best survey apps in the UK

I might shock you here, but did you know that you can get far more from your phone rather than just checking out how happy your friends pretend to be on social media and receiving the odd phone call. Indeed, your trusty mobile could even be quite the money-spinner. Take a look at the best survey apps out there and how to get earning.

Best paid UK survey apps

• Qmee
• YouGov
• QuickThoughts
• AttaPoll
• MOBROG
• Ipsos iSay
• Swagbucks
• MSR
• Appino
• Curious Cat
• Vypr
• OnePulse
• OnePoll
• Panel Opinion
• Maximiles
• Bulbshare

I would be lost without my mobile phone. Not because I would miss having my nearest and dearest just a button away. In fact, that’s a downside. But it has become a decent way for me to make an extra income.

From cashback apps to free stocks and shares to other money-making apps, there are plenty of ways to make money using your phone.

Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the best survey apps available.

Are survey apps any good?

Survey sites and apps tend to have a bit of a poor reputation. People join, thinking they should be able to earn the same amount as a full-time wage. As nice as that would be, it’s just not possible. And if it was, most of us would be sitting at home filling out questionnaires, rather than facing that daily commute.

But that’s not to say you can’t make a decent side income. As you can see, I have made well over £900 from the Qmee app alone. And combined with all the other apps on my list, it helps to give me extra spending each month.

Do they pay instantly?

The vast majority of survey apps will send you payment within a few minutes. A couple on this list may take a couple of days, such as Vypr and YouGov, whilst Swagbucks may take a week.

But you’re not restricted to joining one site. The more you belong to, the more money you can make. So let’s take a look at some of the best apps for taking surveys.

Best survey apps for money in the UK

Qmee

This app provides surveys ranging from 1 – 20 minutes and there’s always plenty to choose from. You can also make money by searching the web, referring friends or earning cashback by clicking on Qmee links. Payment is made by PayPal or through a choice of gift cards and is usually made instantly.

There’s also a generous referral programme on offer that could earn you up to £1 for every friend you refer.

Or take a look at my full Qmee review.

YouGov

YouGov is one of the most popular survey sites out there and is often used for polls in national newspapers. You can complete surveys either through the main site or the YouGov app.

For every survey you complete, you’ll be rewarded with points and once you reach 5,000, you can exchange them for £50 which will be straight into your bank.

You can also earn extra with YouGov Safe. This allows you to share your viewing history from subscriptions like Netflix and Amazon Prime in exchange for further points. There’s also a generous referral scheme that can earn you £2 for every friend that joins.

Or take a look at my full YouGov review.

QuickThoughts

A simple-to-use app that generally offers 50 pence per survey. Once you reach £10, you can withdraw your earnings as an Amazon or Apple voucher. No friend referral scheme though!

AttaPoll

Another app that has plenty of surveys on offer. Each survey is given a star rating before you enter, so you know what others thought of it and how likely you are not to be screened out of it.

You can cash out through PayPal, Revolut or in the form of a gift card. AttaPoll also has a referral scheme and you can earn 20 pence plus 10% of all future earnings for every friend that joins.

Click on the button below and use the code dqcni when you join and you’ll get a 40 pence bonus.

Or take a look at my full AttaPoll review.

MOBROG

MOBROG allows you to earn either from the app or from their main website. There are several surveys each day, but not quite so many as you’ll find on the AttaPoll or Qmee apps. The majority of surveys are around the 15-minute mark, but they pay quite well.

You can also refer friends for a (rather exact) 64 pence bonus.

Or take a look at my full MOBROG review.

Ipsos iSay

This is another company that offers both an app and the main website where you can complete surveys. For every survey you finish, you’re rewarded with points. And if you find you’re screened out at the beginning of a survey, you’re still given a few points for your troubles anyway.

Once you have enough points, you can convert them into gift cards, which include Amazon and Argos. If you would prefer money, they can be exchanged for a virtual prepaid Mastercard.

iSay differs from a lot of the other apps on this list because you can be offered the chance to test products. Not only do you earn points, but you’ll also get an item to try too.

Or take a look at my full Ipsos iSay review.

Swagbucks

Probably one of the most famous survey sites across the UK and USA. Actually, survey site isn’t the right term. Swagbucks is a Get Paid To (GPT) site, which means that you can earn in different ways such as signing up for trials, watching videos and searching the internet.

But the Swagbucks app allows you to earn points through completing surveys. These points can then be swapped for PayPal or various gift cards.

There is a referral scheme that could earn you 10% of your friend’s future earnings.

Or take a look at my full Swagbucks review.

MSR

Also known as the Measure Protocol app, MSR offers short surveys in return for points. These points can then be redeemed for gift cards worth £10, £25 and £50.

MSR also offers a referral scheme and you can earn 20% of your friend’s future earnings.

Appinio

This app rewards you with coins for completing surveys which can then be converted into Amazon vouchers. You can also take part in one-question polls which help to increase your level and the higher the level you are, the more you can earn. If you like, you can even create your own polls for other users to complete.

There’s also a referral programme on offer so you can earn extra by getting your friends to join.

Curious Cat

Once an app aimed towards the cat-obsessed, Curious Cat is now a survey app like many others on the list. Complete surveys for points and then convert the points into cash. This can then be withdrawn into your PayPal account. There’s no referral bonus on offer, but it can still be a decent earner.

Or take a look at my full Curious Cat review.

Vypr

This is an app with a bit of a difference. You’ll be sent a selection of ‘steers’, which are usually images of a product and you simply choose which you prefer. You’ll then be rewarded with points which can then be exchanged for money through PayPal. Although this won’t earn you a large amount, each steer takes a couple of seconds to complete.

OnePulse

If short surveys are your thing, then you can’t go far wrong with OnePulse. You’ll receive two types of ‘Pulse” – one that pays you money and another that gives you XP. And as you gain more XP, the more you’ll earn from the money Pulses.

Pulses are usually just three questions and will take you 30 seconds at most. Once you reach $20 (yes, you are paid in $US), you can withdraw your earnings into your PayPal account.

Or take a look at my full OnePulse review.

OnePoll

Yet another app ideal for those that are interested in shorter surveys. Most surveys you’ll find here are just a couple of minutes long and will pay you 10 to 20 pence. Although this doesn’t sound much, it soon adds up. You can complete surveys from the OnePoll app or the main website.

Once you reach £40, you can withdraw into your bank account or PayPal. If you become an established user, this reduces to £25.

Or take a look at my full OnePoll review.

Panel Opinion

This is another money earner that allows you to take surveys from the app or the main website. For simple surveys, you’ll earn cash. But you may also be offered the chance to test products, take part in focus groups or do a bit of mystery shopping.

Once you reach £10, you can withdraw via BACS, PayPal or bank cheque. You can also earn stars for completing surveys and polls as well as referring friends. These stars can then be exchanged for the chance to win prizes.

Or take a look at my full Panel Opinion review.

Maximiles

If earning cash doesn’t really appeal to you, then why not sign up to a site that offers gifts instead? You’ll earn points not only for filling out surveys but playing games, shopping and completing special offers.

Once you have enough points, you can swap them for days out, toys, magazine subscriptions or even Apple Airpods. There are a couple of gift cards to choose from, including Netflix and Amazon.

Or take a look at my full Maximiles review.

Bulbshare

This app generally offers slightly longer surveys than the others on the list. Known as briefs, you’ll be asked your thoughts on products or services that are relevant to you. They’ll usually take around 10 minutes at most and will pay you £1.

Anything you earn will be paid into your PayPal account within a couple of hours. You may need to use the invite code UsWTAwv when you join.

Other money making apps to consider

Although survey apps are a great way of boosting your income, there are a few other apps you can consider joining. Although they require a little more effort, they usually pay more.

Streetbees

I would call Streetbees a semi-survey site if that is actually a thing. The majority of paid opportunities come from you completing stories. You’ll be asked about products around your home or about your lifestyle. In some cases, you might be required to share a photo or two.

You may also be asked to share your experiences when you’re out in a restaurant or a pub or even be set mystery shopping tasks.

Once you complete a story, you’ll receive PayPal payment within a couple of days.

Use the code 7850SP when you join.

Or take a look at my full Streetbees review.

Field Agent

This is a mystery shopping app. Tasks are pretty short (around 15-30 minutes), and you’ll be asked to visit a local store and report on what you find. You might need to take a few photos, write a quick report and then your earnings are paid into your PayPal account.

Or take a look at my full Field Agent review.

A few tips

To ensure you get the most from these survey apps, here are a few simple tips you must follow.

Don’t pay to join

When it comes to making money, some people will try and take advantage of you. If you see a site or app that promises that you’ll make thousands as long as you send them a small fee, avoid. You’re trying to make money, not spend it, and plenty of free options exist.

Check your emails regularly

Some of these apps will send you an email when a new survey is available. These surveys often have limited spaces but usually have good rewards. The quicker you are, the more likely you are to qualify.

Don’t build up a big balance

I’m sure that most of us take surveys to save up for something nice. And we know that if we withdraw the money to our bank account, there’s a strong possibility we’ll end up spending it. But don’t be tempted to keep large sums in your survey account. Your money isn’t protected, and if something should happen to the company, everything you worked for will be lost.

Why not take a look at my other ways to make money on the side?